Jamaican artist Fhiyahshua has been recording and performing reggae music since he was a child in the 1970s. Inspired by reggae greats like Bob Marley, Mighty Diamonds, Burning Spear, and Buju Banton, he has recorded songs in many of the same Kingston studios used by his heroes. He wins his third Best Song contest in the last five months with “Rise to the Top”.

Raised in small town Illinois, Ces Indie’s musical journey found her writing a number of original songs as a teen in hopes of one day recording them. In 2006, she fulfilled that dream, and her career has carried on ever since, gaining new fans through both her local communities and social media. Now based in Chicago, her mix of pop, R&B and soft rock has the potential to hit it big. “Wicked Game” is an epic EDM influenced pop track with a dazzling video that earns her this month’s Music Video title.

Australian band Moscato began as two guitarists jamming for a charity benefit compilation that turned into a full-on band with vocalist Kristen Anderson. Featuring a melodic indie rock sound with crisp layers of guitar and vocal harmonies, “Unshiny” is a poignant tune with smart lyrics that them their first Make A Star win.

Ces Indie nearly swept both Music Video and Best Song contests this month, as she took the Female Solo Artist title for “Show Me What You Got”, another strong pop dance track that shows us that she’s got no shortage of talent.

Canadian composer Mario Pompetti is an artist with 15 albums released, and is well known as a heavyweight in film scoring and music production for film and TV. His music is a blend of genres, delving into elements of electronic dance, jazz and hip hop.

Memphis, Tennessee native Marco Pavé is an artist and activist who uses hip-hop and technology as a way to transform his city. He was appeared at TEDx Memphis, discussing a “cradle-to-career” arts policy that envisions how artists can boost local economies and turn poverty into entrepreneurship. Quite an accomplished talent to grace our rap battle contests and we’re proud to award him his first Make A Star title.

Las Vegas singer Suraiya wins her third a cappella singing contest this year with another Mariah Carey classic, this time the holiday standard “All I Want For Christmas Is You” that earns her a spot in this month’s Sing in 30 Seconds Playoff.

Martin Malloy is comedian Skitzobill. From Ohio, he was his high school senior class president and claims his first stand up set was his commencement speech. While attending Ohio State University, he was hit by a car and underwent brain surgery. Despite a subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia, he has continued to go to work and perform stand up comedy around the midwest, donating most of his comedy proceeds to mental health charities.

Raised in small town Illinois, Ces Indie’s musical journey found her writing a number of original songs as a teen in hopes of one day recording them. In 2006, she fulfilled that dream, and her career has carried on ever since, gaining new fans through both her local communities and social media. Now based in Chicago, her mix of pop, R&B and soft rock has the potential to hit it big. “Let Get It” defines her approach to success and is her first Make A Star win.

London based, Brazilian raised musician Eduardo Faria had been taking a break from his music for a few years until his 2012 video for “Your Place” qualified for November’s Music Video contest and went all the way to win. He calls it the first music competition he’s ever won, and we’re happy to help rekindle his passion for writing and performing music, with a sound inspired by modern British guitar pop like Coldplay. Check out “Your Place” now.

Guy Leroux is a self-taught songwriter, from small town Ontario, Canada. A songwriter since 1981, he writes, produces and records his own songs, and has a vast catalog of self-released albums which range from country to children’s music. “A Cowboy Doing Country” is his first here on Make A Star.

A fellow Canadian and first time Make A Star winner, Rusty Halo has lived in every province from Ontario to BC. Being a poet at heart and an observer of the people and situations around him has inspired his music. His songs are about the workers, lovers, losers, and winners that exist in every town. Active in music for over forty years, both with club bands and as a solo performer of bluesy music, Rusty Halo has worked hard at many day jobs and always found the time to keep letting his musical spirit shine.

Peter Holmqvist is a Swedish guitarist and composer raised on the blues-influenced rock of The Rolling Stones and Neil Young. Playing guitar with a high level of technique is not easy, and Peter overcame years of pain in his hands and arms with persistence to master the intricacies of blues guitar. While still holding down a day job Peter has played live with several bands and composed his own songs on both acoustic and electric guitar.

From Okemah, Oklahoma, BonBon has been rapping for years and submitted many great rap battle entries to Make A Star. A former winner back in September 2013, he wins his second monthly title with this slick new performance and now awaits his challengers in the next playoff, scheduled for late January 2016.

Athena is a first-time contestant and winner in our Sing in 30 Seconds a cappella contest. From Rheda-Wiedenbrueck, Germany, she sings “Stay The Night” by Russian-German EDM artist Zedd to take the title. Who will be her two challengers in January’s playoff for the $100 cash prize?

This ‘progressive acid pop’ duo from Montreal, Canada take music videos seriously, as the combination of music and illustration is at the core of their artistic process. Musically and visually, their aesthetic combines elements of hard rock with an orchestral and film soundtrack appeal. Check out these first time Make A Star winners and their animated music video for “The Crypt”.

Jamaican artist Fhiyahshua has been recording and performing reggae music since he was a child in the 1970s. Inspired by reggae greats like Bob Marley, Mighty Diamonds, Burning Spear, and Buju Banton, he has recorded songs in many of the same Kingston studios used by his heroes. He wins his second Best Song contest in the last three months with “I Love You”.

From the town of Brecon in Wales, UK, Kerri Powles is mainly a pianist and instrumental composer, but she shows off her vocals talents singing this bit from Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” to claim her first Make A Star cash prize win.

Gwendolyne Krasnicki was raised a musician, learning the piano by ear at age 4 and admitted to Vanier College for violin performance as a 17 year old. In 2014 she obtained her Bachelor's of Music from the University of Montréal. She first began composing and recording lullabies using an old microphone and a simple recording program which eventually turned into creating electronic/techno/trance music. Her lounge/pop style emerged in 2011 after being introduced to instrumental jazz and the theory behind it. Galiya is is just one of her many current musical projects, which include classical performances with many Montreal orchestras. We like her ability to craft great pop songs too, with “Simplicity” her first Make A Star win.

Athens, Greece is the home of producer and DJ Sak-gra. Together with vocalists Paresa and Marina, Sakgra the band concocts electronic dance rhythms full of breezy Mediterranean atmosphere. Active since the 90s and a 2012 Eurovision contestant, they win their second Make A Star title with “Efiges”.

Arkansas native Larry R Campbell is a guitarist /songwriter with a passion for instrumental music. A believer that “an instrumental song can accurately tell a visual story”, he blends rock and jazz together into an intelligent, laid-back guitar sound. Also a seasoned guitar instructor, he’s passed his skills on to a host of students from the early 80s to the present day. Active on Make A Star since 2010, “New Beginning” is his fourth Make A Star Instrumental song win.